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Ancient port mentioned by ancient author(s)
Ancient port mentioned by modern author(s) only
Potential ancient harbour, from a nautical point of view
| NB | Ancient name | Modern name |
| 3520 | Arsinoe, Cleopatris, Port Daneon, Port of the Danei, Klysma, Clysina, Ovilia, archaic Kemwer? Kemeur? | Suez, Qulzum |
| 3521 | Phoinikon, Poseideion? | Ayn Musa, near the power station |
| 3521.1 | Adabiya bay | |
| 3521.2 | Bir Odeib & Bir Themada | |
| 3522 | Port of King Khafra, Khefren | Ayn Sukhna, at Portrait Hotel |
| 3522.1 | Bir Umm Reiga & Bir Aheimar | |
| 3522.2 | Bir Abu Daraj | |
| 3522.3 | Bir Abu Sundug | |
| 3522.4 | Wadi Abu Ashayir el-Rayyan | |
| 3523 | Medeia, Marah | Abu Mereir, near Ras Matarma |
| 3523.1 | Surandala fort | |
| 3524 | Mersa Thelemet | |
| 3524.1 | Abu Zenima | |
| 3525 | Bat, port of King Khufu, Cheops | wadi el-Jarf, the oldest breakwater found to date |
| 3526 | Maghara (export of turquoise, malachite & copper from wadi Ameyra, Serabit el-Khadim & wadi Maghara) | al-Markha, Maghara, near Ras Budran |
| 3527 | Rhaithou, Palm-Grove | el-Tor, el-Tur, Tor harbour |
| 3528 | Tell el-Raya, Sheikh Riyah Harbour | |
| 3529 | Merset el-Qad Yahya | |
| 3530 | Marsa Zeitiya | |
| 3531 | Saspeirene Nesos? Sapirine? | Endeavour Harbour, on Geziret Tawila island |
| 3532 | Scytala, Skytala, Sapirine? Phocarum? | Geziret Shadwan, Shaker island |
| 3533 | Abu Shar | Roman fort at the end of the Via Hadriana, at el-Gouna which is an excellent shelter |
| 3534 | Hurghada | |
| 3535 | Marsa Abu Makhadiq | |
| 3536 | Makadi Bay | |
| 3537 | Al Nabila | |
| 3538 | Unnamed cove | |
| 3539 | Unnamed cove | |
| 3540 | Ras Abu Soma | |
| 3541 | Mina Safaga | |
| 3542 | Wadi Safaga | |
| 3543 | Coral Garden | |
| 3544 | Philoteras portus, Philotere, port of Aennus, archaic Saww | Marsa Gawasis, near wadi Jasus, 26 km South of Safaga port. Pliny speaks of Aennus. Ptolemy locates Phîlotera at 30’ of latitude South of Myos Hormos, which leads near the airport of Marsa Alam. However, modern authors seem to agree to locate this port at Marsa Gawasis near Safaga. |
| 3545 | Kalawy Imperial | |
| 3546 | Quei? Quway? Kuwe? | |
| 3547 | Arsinoe Troglodytika | unlocalized between Philotera and Myos Hormos, perhaps Hamrawein? |
| 3548 | Abu Sawatir Rocky Valley | |
| 3549 | Myos Hormos, Aphrodite’s port, Panormus? | Quseir al-Qadim, at the Mövenpick hotel, 8 km North of Quseir. Ptolemy locates Myos-Hormos at 3°25’ of latitude North of Berenike, which leads to Hurghada. The Periplus Maris Erythraei indicates that this site is at 1800 stadia, i.e. 330 km, from Berenike, which would lead near Safaga. However, modern authors agree to locate this port 8 km North of Quseir on the West side of the road and a jetty made of amphoras was found by Peacock & Blue. Roman fort at Qasr Hadie |
| 3550 | Leucos Limen? | Bir el-Uwaynah, Quseir port, at the outlet of wadi Hammamat leading to ancient Coptos on the Nile. |
| 3551 | Sharm el Lole, Zerib Kebir | |
| 3552 | Bir Asal, Utopia Beach | |
| 3553 | Mangrove Bay | |
| 3554 | Santido Resort | |
| 3555 | Unnamed | |
| 3556 | Marsa Umm Gheig | |
| 3557 | Unnamed | |
| 3558 | Coraya Bay | |
| 3559 | Port Ghalib, Marsa Imbarak | |
| 3560 | Leuke Kome? Leucos Limen? Albus portus? | Marsa Mubarak, Three Corners Fayrouz Plaza |
| 3561 | Marsa Mooray | |
| 3562 | Marsa Abu Dabbab | |
| 3563 | Marsa Dabr | |
| 3563.1 | Marsa Shajra | |
| 3564 | Marsa Abu Irayki, Brayka Bay | |
| 3565 | Marsa Tarafi | |
| 3566 | Marsa Egla, Tomb of El-Sheikh Sakin el-Ijlah | |
| 3567 | Marsa Asalay | |
| 3568 | Marsa Alam | |
| 3568.1 | Wadi Abu Sabakhay | |
| 3569 | Marsa Samadai | |
| 3570 | Marsa Tundaba, Khor Umm Shahawt | |
| 3571 | Nechesia? | Marsa Nakari, 18 km South of Marsa Alam |
| 3572 | Ras Dirra, Ras el-Dirri | |
| 3572.1 | Wadi Ghadir | |
| 3573 | Marsa Fokairi | |
| 3574 | Shams Alam Resort | |
| 3575 | Aphrodites Nesos?? | Sharm Luli, in front of Wadi el-Gamal islands, this place has been taken for Myos Hormos because of Strabo’s description |
| 3576 | Unnamed | |
| 3577 | Cabalsi, Cabau, Gabaum | Abu Ghusun, at outlet of wadi Gamal, Gemal, Gimal |
| 3577.1 | Wadi Ranga | |
| 3578 | Kala’an Gulf | |
| 3579 | Wadi Lahami | |
| 3580 | Hellenistic port of Berenice Troglodytika, Berenike, Acathartos, Foul Bay, inside the gulf of Lepte Akra | Medinet el-Haras, 4 km South of Bender el-Kebir inside the gulf of Ras Banas and on the Tropic of Cancer. Pliny is more accurate for Berenike as he indicates that there is no shadow at noon on the day of summer solstice, which is the definition of the tropic located at 23°26’ of latitude. The present latitude of Berenike is 23°56’ and it is still a port today. |
| 3581 | Roman port Berenice Troglodytika, Berenike, Acathartus, Foul Bay, inside the gulf of Lepte Akra | Medinet el-Haras, 4 km South of Bender el-Kebir inside the gulf of Ras Banas and on the Tropic of Cancer. Pliny is more accurate for Bernike as he indicates that there is no shadow at noon on the day of summer solstice, which is the definition of the tropic located at 23°26’ of latitude. The present latitude of Berenike is 23°56’ and it is still a port today. With possible ancient lighthouse. Roman forts at Siket and at Wadi Kalalat. |
| 3582 | Ophiodes insula, Agathonis, Nekron, Snake island | Isle of Zabargat, Geziret Seberget, St John’s Island, the island with topaz, off Berenike. The isle of Ophiodes is well located as it seems to be the only one producing topaz in this area. No good shelter here! |
| 3583 | Bodkin reef | |
| 3583.1 | Bir Shalatein, Shalateen, Shalatin | |
| 3584 | Sharm el-Madfa, Marsa Hasa | |
| 3585 | Marsa Shaab | |
| 3585.1 | Bir Adal Deib | |
| 3586 | Marsa el-Qad | |
| 3587 | Marsa Abu Naam | |
| 3587.1 | Bir Girid | |
| 3587.2 | Bir Abu Ramad | |
| 3587.3 | Aydhab, Aidhab | |
| 3588 | Marsa Halaib, Halayeb | |
| 3589 | Khor el-Marob | |
| 3590 | Marsa Ribda, Marsa Gwilaib | |
| 3591 | Khor Abu Asal, Marsa Oseif | |
| 3592 | Marsa Hamsiat | |
| 3593 | Marsa Wasi | |
| 3594 | Marsa Gafatir | |
| 3595 | Marsa Abu Imama, Rio Farat | |
| 3596 | Marsa Halaka, Khor Dullow, Khor Delwein | |
| 3597 | Khor Shinab, Khor Abu Mishmish | |
| 3598 | Bathus profondus portus | Dungunab, Ptolemy locates Bathus (deep port) at 2°50’ of latitude South of Berenike, which leads to the large bay of Dungunab where a huge bay sheltered from the northern waves prevailing in this area is found |
| 3599 | Dioscuror | Marsa Inkeifal? Ptolemy locates Dioscuror at the same place as Bathus, perhaps on the West side of Jazirat Magarsam island |
| 3600 | Marsa Salak | |
| 3601 | Marsa Arakiyai, Port Salvadora | |
| 3602 | Marsa Fijab, Bahia de Fuca | |
| 3603 | Marsa Gwiyai, Port Dradart | |
| 3604 | Port Sudan, in Marsa Sheikh Barud | |
| 3605 | Marsa Ata | |
| 3606 | Theon Soterum, Deorum Salutarium, Sotira | Suakin? Ptolemy locates Theon Soterum at 1° of latitude North of Ptolemaïs, which corresponds to Suakin |
| 3607 | Marsa Esh Sheikh Ibrahim | |
| 3608 | Evangeliorum, Evangelon | Mintaka, East of Shubuk Channel, North of Trinkitat? Ptolemy locates Evangelon at 30’ of latitude North of Ptolemaïs, which corresponds to this bay |
| 3609 | Ptolemais Theron, Ptolemais’ hunt (for elephants), Epitherias (city founded by Eumedes) | Adobana, 8.5 km SE of Agig, Aqiq |
| 3610 | Strato insula in bay of Elaea | Aqiq Kebir, Bahdur island, in Khor Nawarat, Nowarat, with rock-cut cisterns |
| 3610.1 | small headland on Gazirat Kalafiyya, in Khor Nowarat, Nowarat | |
| 3611 | Port Melinus, near Elaea | Gazirat Iri, Airi, Iri, er-Rih island? with many rock-cut cisterns |
| 3612 | Harmil island | |
| 3613 | Jimhil, Gim’hile, Monfreid’s Djumele? | |
| 3614 | Alalaei, Alalaiou insulae | Nokra Deset on the Dahlak islands, with many rock-cut cisterns on Dahlak Kebir |
| 3615 | Saba | Massawa? Ptolemy locates Saba at 50’ of latitude North of Adulis, which corresponds to Massawa at 15°38’ of latitude North |
| 3616 | Oreine, Orine insula | isle of Dissei, Dessei, Dese |
| 3617 | Land of Punt? Pount, Ta Netjer, Taneter, Pwenet, Pwene, Pouen, Opone, Ophir?? | probably somewhere in East Africa, possibly in the area of the Afar people, between Adulis and Djibouti, on the location of the ancient D’mt (Da’amat) kingdom and close to the Kush kingdom and its gold mines, where they could also find silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. Other possible locations for Punt are Adulis, Mundus-Mosylium and Opone |
| 3618 | Adulis, Adoulis, Utulis, port of the Axoumites, on R Taranta | Zula, on wadi Haddas. The Periplus Maris Erythraei locates Adulis at 3000 stadia (550 km) South of Ptolemaïs inside a South facing bay, which corresponds to Zula at 15°15’ of latitude. Pliny locates it at 5 navigation days from Ptolemaïs, which leads to more or less the same location. This site seems to be accepted by modern authors. It may be noted that Ptolemy is widely mistaken when locating it at 40’ of latitude North of Dire, leading near Assab or Beilul, 400 km further South. It may be noted also that Assab still is a port nowadays, while Beilul does not show any nautical interest (today) except for a cape located about 15 km further East |
| 3619 | Gabaza, port of Adulis, Diodorus insula | island located in the bay of Zula and and now included into the continent under the name « Galala Hills » 5.5 km SE of Zula. Was formerly located by scholars on Perim island |
| 3620 | Melita bay near Ras Nasiracurra | |
| 3621 | Dellemi, Dilemmi island, SW of Port Smyth | |
| 3621.1 | unnamed “large bay” with obsidian | Harena, Arena in Howakil, Haualik bay |
| 3622 | Ghelaelo in Howakil, Haualik bay | |
| 3623 | Antiphilus portus | Hanfileh, Anfile bay, NW of Thio, Tio |
| 3624 | Port of Colobonalsos, Cape Colobon | Tio at Ras Anrata? Ptolemy locates Colobon at 2° of latitude North of Adulis, which does not correspond to any cape or promontary, but Strabo locates it very close to Antiphilus portus, hence Tio might be the right location |
| 3625 | Berenice of Saba, Panchrysos | Eïd, Edd? |
| 3626 | Mersa Dudo | |
| 3627 | Pythangelus | Bera’isole? in Bahar Assoli, Bahir Assoli Bay, could be the port of Pythangelus’ hunt (for elephants) located further inland as described by Strabo |
| 3628 | Ras Terma, east of Beylul | |
| 3629 | Sabae, Sabath | Assab? Near wadi Arsile, Harsile |
| 3630 | Eumenusalsos, Port of Eumenes | Unlocated, possibly between Saba and Arsinoe |
| 3631 | Arsinoe | Ras Dumeira at Rahayta? Ptolemy locates Arsinoe at 20’ of latitude South of Dire, which corresponds to the lagoon of Godoria on the North coast of Djibouti near 12°09’ of latitude. He nevertheless mentions it North of Dire on his list … which makes some authors think the site is at Ras Dumeira. Monfreid’s Raheita |
| 3632 | Cape Dire, Deire, Berenice epi-Dires, Tytis insula possibly in this area | Ras Siyan, on the West side of Bab el-Mandeb, the Gate of Tears. Cape Dire is located in front of Cape Acila (Cheikh Saïd in Yemen) as Strabo indicates. It is also just in front of the six islands mentioned by Strabo. It provides good shelter against the eastern waves prevailing in this area. The place called Fagal is at 12°27’ of latitude and gives us a reference for locating other ports mentioned by Ptolemy. Ras Siyan is a former island now connected to the mainland, but before that, it was a member of the “Seven Islands” (Sawabi islands) |
| 3633 | Adanos Duo, Sadanus insulae? Diodorus insula? | Mayyun, on Perim island, and the second island (“Duo”) may have been the Cheikh Saïd peninsula now connected to the mainland |
| 3634 | Acila, Akila, Ocelis, Okelis, Akelis, Artemidore, Maddaban | Khor Ghuraira, Cheikh Saïd, near Murad, South of Mokha and in front of Ras Siyan |
| 3635 | Pseudokelis | between Murad and Dhubab |
| 3636 | Sosippu Limen, Sosippi | Monfreid’s Doubab, Dhubab is the only natural shelter between Murad/Ocelis and Mokha/Mouza. |
| 3637 | Masala, Mouza, Muza, port of the Himyarites, Muhawan, Makhwan | Mokha |
| 3638 | Sacacia, Sakatiapolis | between Jirdan and Yakhtul? |
| 3639 | Napegus Kome | Maushij? |
| 3640 | Ailou Kome | al-Khawkhah? |
| 3641 | port of Zabida? | al-Midamman, near Zabid |
| 3642 | Malichos Duo, Malichou insulae | Hanish islands? |
| 3643 | Tongue island, near Monfreid’s Zoukour, Zuqar | |
| 3644 | Bolicas, Bulicas, port of the Himyarites, Homerites, Omerites, Pudnu? | al-Ghulayfiqa |
| 3645 | Sokrates insula? | Mujamila island |
| 3646 | Adedou Kome | al-Hodeidah, Hudaydah, near outlet of wadi Siham |
| 3647 | Are insula | al-Zubayr islands? |
| 3648 | Camarum insula, Kardamine insula? | Kamaran island |
| 3649 | Uqban island, Monfreid’s Okban | |
| 3650 | Exusta, Katakekaumene insula, Combusta insula, Ile Brulee, Burnt island | at-Tair vulcano island NW of Hodeidah |
| 3651 | Baitios & Akme, Fons Coralis? | Khor al-Wahla, near al-Madaya, Monfreid’s Medy |
| 3652 | Dumsuq island, Monfreid’s Dumsuk | |
| 3653 | Qumah, Kumakh island | |
| 3654 | Praefectus Ferresani portus on Devade insulae, Hierakon insula? | Roman naval base at Khor Farasan, on Farasan Kebir island |
| 3654.1 | Wadi Matar, on Farasan Kebir island | |
| 3655 | Sajid, on Farasan Segid, Zekir island, Monfreid’s Seguid | |
| 3656 | Saso, Sarso island | |
| 3657 | Mamala Kome? Mamaeum Litus? | al-Luhayyah |
| 3658 | Marma? Ambe Kome? | Kawz, Khor al-Jaafirah, Dana bay East of Ras Tarfa |
| 3659 | Badeo Basileion? | Khor al-Birk |
| 3660 | Kentos Komé? Thebai? Tabis? Canauna (known for gold mining)? | al-Qunfuda, Qunfudhah, al-Qanat, on wadi Kanawna, Qanauna |
| 3661 | Khor al-Humara, near Ghubbat al-Mahasin, Mohaisen | |
| 3662 | Zambram, Zabram Basileion, Zadrame? | Marsa Ibrahim, in al-Sharifa lagoon, near al-Lith |
| 3663 | Marsa Qishran, in al-Sharifa lagoon | |
| 3664 | Zambram, Zabram Basileion, Zadrame? | Zahran at outlet of wadi Fatima, South of modern industrial port of Jeddah |
| 3665 | Abu Shauk | |
| 3666 | Agar? Arga Kome? Polybius insula? | Jeddah |
| 3667 | Sharm Abhur, Bihar | |
| 3668 | al-Jazeerah, near Ras Hatiba | |
| 3669 | al-Qadimah | |
| 3670 | Agar? Arga Kome? | Sherm Rabegh, Rabigh |
| 3671 | Daimonon insula | ? near al-Rayyis? |
| 3672 | Kopar Kome? Coboea, Coboris? | al-Jar |
| 3673 | Iambia Kome? Iambe? | Yanbu al-Bahr |
| 3674 | Charmothas, Charmute | Sharm Yanbu, 15 km North of Yanbu. This hypothetical area is close to Diodorus’ description: > the total circumference is 23 km (close to his 100 stades); > the central island might be now connected to the mainland on the NE side where siltation occurred over time, near the outlet of the wadi ; > the total area might have been between 2000 and 3000 ha (ample space for his 2000 ships) ; > the entrance is 300 m wide (more than his 200 feet = 60 m) but this depends much on coral growth which may have varied in time and with urbanisation. |
| 3675 | Zygaina insula | Aiona reef? |
| 3676 | Sharm al-Khawr | |
| 3677 | Sharm Hasy | |
| 3678 | Umm Lajj | |
| 3679 | al-Haura, Hawra | |
| 3680 | Raunathou Kome? | near Ras Karkuma, Qurqumah |
| 3681 | Egra Kome, Aigra, Akra? Port of Hegra and Dadan? | al-Qusayr, Qassir, oasis on wadi al-Hamd |
| 3682 | Ampelone, Ampelome | Ras Habban? |
| 3683 | Timagenes insula, Dia insula? | island West of Sharm Wejh, al-Wajh? This island might also correspond to Strabo’s description of Dia insula, depending on the position of Charmothas |
| 3684 | Leuke Kome, Phoinikon Kome? Port of Hegra and Dadan? | Sharm Wejh, al-Wajh? This location for Leuke Kome is preferred by Nappo and Nehmé. Egra is inland at Mada’in Saleh. |
| 3685 | Hippos Kome | Sharm Antar? |
| 3686 | Sharm Dumaygh | |
| 3687 | Ainos insula | Geziret an-Numan? |
| 3688 | Dabba, Modiana? | Dhuba, Duba |
| 3689 | Modiana? | |
| 3690 | Sharm Yahar, al-Harr | |
| 3691 | Modiana? Madian? Hippos Kome? | 5 km North of al-Muwaylih, Muwaila |
| 3692 | as-Sawra | |
| 3693 | ash-Sharma | |
| 3694 | Leuke Kome? Leucos Limen? Albus portus? Onne? | Possibly bay of Aynunah near al-Khuraybah at 28°03’ of latitude. Ptolemy locates Leucos at 2°10’ of latitude North of Berenike, but that is on the other side of the Red Sea! Leuke Kome is not on the African side but on the Arabian side of the Red Sea as the road to Petra starts there. Nappo (2010) and Nehmé (2014) both locate it at al-Wajh, 230 km further south. |
| 3695 | Salydo insula | Barqan island? |
| 3696 | Soukabya insula | Shusha island? |
| 3697 | Isis insula | Sanafir, Sinafir island? |
| 3698 | Iotabe? Jotabe? Isle of sea-calves (dugongs?), erroneously called ‘Duck Country’ by Photius | Tiran island, at the entrance of the gulf of Aqaba? a very strategic location for controlling sea trade entering the Gulf of Aqaba and levying taxes … |
| 3699 | Sharm el-Sheikh | |
| 3700 | Makna | near Maqna |
| 3701 | el-Kura | |
| 3702 | Tell el-Mashraba, near Dahab | |
| 3703 | Tayyib al-Ism | |
| 3704 | Nuweiba | |
| 3705 | Ankale | near Haql |
| 3706 | Yotbata? | Fjord bay, 5 km NE of the Taba resort |
| 3707 | Ezion Geber? | Geziret Fara’un, Pharaoh’s island, Coral island |
| 3707.1 | Eloth, Elath, Elat, Abronah? | Tell el-Kheleifeh, Tell al-Khulayfa |
| 3708 | Aila, Elaea, Aelana, Berenike, in the Laeanites Gulf | Aqaba |